Malaysian Sikh sets record for longest stint as TV news presenter

KUALA LUMPUR - A Malaysian Sikh has set a new record as the ‘longest serving television news presenter’ after working 38-years with RTM.

Harjit Singh Hullon, 57, who said that it has always been his dream to appear on television, was awarded the title by the Malaysia Book of Records on January 25.

“Ever since the first time I tuned in to the radio, I knew I wanted my voice to be heard too,” the Star Online quoted him as saying.

And what he liked most about the honour is that he did not break an existing record, but created a new one.

“It will not be an easy record to break,” Hullon who joined RTM as a radio deejay in 1972, said.

The bilingual newscaster, known for his flawless Bahasa Malaysia and English, won the inaugural Infor�mation Minister’s Special Award at the Angkasapuri Awards presentation ceremony in 2006.

Hullon will be retiring this year but the father of two has no plans of sitting back and relaxing, saying that he wants to give back to the company that made him who he is today.

As a regular and familiar face to viewers of RTM as well as being the only Sikh newscaster on the channel, Hullon said his friends have given another meaning to the acronym ‘RTM’.

“My friends say it stands for ‘Regular Turbanned Man’,” he joked.

On his loyalty to RTM, Harjit said he never thought of leaving the government broadcaster despite receiving offers from rival companies.

“Looking back, I know I made the right choice,” he added. (ANI)